Wildlife commissioners Friday listened to more than a dozen pleas regarding the state s temporary catch-and-release only regulations for three of the region s most prized fish.
Snook, redfish and sea trout are all catch-and-release only in Southwest Florida, from the Tampa Bay area south to Marco Island.
FWC closed the fisheries to harvest in 2018 during the middle of one of the worst red tide events on record. This was the fifth longest that we had on record and FWC was really struggling about how to help, and we went to fishing guides and got some input from them, said FWC director Eric Sutton. We stayed really close to those folks and that s what resulted in the executive order.
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FWC to host Florida State-Fish Art Contest
By FWC - | Jan 6, 2021
FWC
In partnership with Wildlife Forever, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced that it will host the Florida State-Fish Art Contest.
Students from Florida in kindergarten through 12th grade can compete in the free contest for a chance to win state and national honors, and prizes. The program inspires creativity, while developing the next generation of anglers and conservationists.
Florida winners will be selected by the FWC in four grade categories: kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, seventh through ninth grade, and 10th through 12th grade. State winners will advance to the National Competition to be judged for top prizes such as the Best of Show.
Ban on oyster harvesting is latest blow to Apalachicola Bay communities
Craig Patrick reports
EASTPOINT, Fla. - In 2018, fires wiped out dozens of homes and businesses in the north Florida town of Eastpoint on the Apalachicola Bay. The state government ordered a controlled burn they could not control.
Then by 2019, the victims learned state lawmakers had weakened protections for fire victims making it harder for the families to recover.
By the end of 2020, COVID-19 took off, making the area among the hardest hit in the nation. Around one in nine residents was infected.
And in 2021, the heart of their economy will be gone.